May 14, 2015

Three coins in the fountain

The Fountains of Rome is a symphonic poem by an Italian composer named Ottorino Respighi. It debuted in 1917 and includes a section (movement?) called "La fontana di Trevi al meriggio" (The Trevi Fountain at midday).
Everyone knows the Trevi fountain for it's numerous appearances in EVERY MOVIE SET IN ROME EVER. But did you know that the fountain is a terminus for the ancient Roman aqueduct, Acqua Vergine. The fountain as we know it today, was completed in 1762, but there was a fountain on that site for centuries prior. In fact the famous sculptor, Bernini was to renovate it right after he finished the Triton fountain in the mid-1600s, but the pope commissioning the work, Urban VIII, died before it was begun.
It's finished size is 83 feet high by 161 feet wide.
The water in the fountain "is regarded to furnish some of the purest drinking-water in Rome, reputed for its restorative qualities. Many people to this day can be seen filling containers for drinking and cooking in its splendid fountains." It also at one time fed the hot baths of Agrippa for over 400 years.
My favorite fun fact about the fountain: "An estimated 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy; however, there are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain."

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